Irang Kim, PhD, MSW

Assistant Professor

Elk Place, Room 205
Download CV:
Kim_CV_2025.pdf (269.27 KB)

Biography

Irang Kim, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Social Work. She specializes in practice, policy, and research related to the health and well-being of families of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities (DDs). Her study is focused on two areas: 1) identifying and addressing disparities affecting children with autism and other DDs in underrepresented communities; and 2) developing empirically based, culturally relevant interventions for caregivers of young children with autism. 

Recognizing a significant gap in understanding the experiences of ethnic minority families, her dissertation explored caregiving experiences among Korean American immigrant parents of children with DDs. Following her doctoral studies, Dr.Kim did a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism Intervention at the University of Maryland Baltimore, during which she contributed to two community-based studies in Maryland. Initially, she coordinated a feasibility study of a peer-led program for Black families in low-income Baltimore communities raising young children with autism. Subsequently, she led the project to better understand service need and barriers of Asian American families raising children with DDs in Maryland. 

Currently, Dr.Kim is intensifying her focus on community-based research by leading a feasibility study titled “Adapting Parents Taking Action for Korean Immigrant Caregivers of Young Children with Autism”, aiming to tailor support to unique needs of Korean immigrant caregivers. Moreover, she is undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment in Louisiana. 
 

Expertise and Research Interests 

  • Services and Support for Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
  • Disparities in culturally diverse communities of individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Families
  • Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism
  • Intersectionality between Developmental Disabilities and Other Areas of Practice
  • Community-Based Research and Practice
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

 

Research Projects

  • Dr. Kim culturally adapted a psychoeducational intervention for Korean immigrant caregivers raising autistic children and piloted it to examine feasibility, acceptability, and changes in parent and child outcomes. Here is a summary report.

Areas of Expertise

  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Immigrants, Refugees, and Migrants
  • Research
  • Resilience
  • Social Determinants of Health

Education

  • PhD in Social Work from University of Georgie School of Social Work
  • MSW from University of South Carolina College of Social Work
  • BSW from Catholic University of Busan, South Korea

Selected Publications

  • Kim, I., Lee, J., Mowbray, O., & Brodzinsky, D. (2024). The association between traumatic experiences and anxiety among adoptees with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2024.2359141.
  • Kim. I., Dababnah, S., Wang, Y., & Reyes, C. (2022). Diagnostic process and barriers among Korean and Chinese immigrant parents of children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 43(6), 327-334.  https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001070.
  • Kim, I., & Dababnah, S. (2022). Transition to adulthood: Perspectives of Korean immigrant parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. 45(3), 120-130. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434211043440.
  • Dababnah, S., Kim, I., Wang, Y., & Reyes, C. (Accepted). Brief Report: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Asian American families with children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. Advance online publication.
  • Dababnah, S., Shaia, W., Kim, I., & Sandra Magaña (Accepted). Parents Taking Action: Adapting a Peer-to-Peer Parenting Program for Black Families Raising Children with Autism. Inclusion. Advance online publication.
  • Robinson, M., Kim, I., Mowbray, O., & Disney, L. (2021). African Americans, Caribbean Blacks and depression: Which biopsychosocial factors should social workers focus on? Results from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Community Mental Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00833-6.
  • Dababnah, S., Kim, I., Shaia, W. (2021). I am so fearful for him: A mixed methods exploration of stress among caregivers of black children with autism. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2020.1870418.
  • Kim, I., Wang, Y., Dababnah, S., Betz, G. (2020). East Asian American parents of children with autism: A scoping review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40489-020-00221-y.
  • Rizo, C.F., Kim, I., Dababnah, S., & Garbarino, N. (2020). The Intersection of intellectual and developmental disabilities with child exposure to intimate partner violence: Implications for research and practice. Journal of Family Violence. 35(8), 899-909. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10896-020-00138-4.
  • Robinson, M., Kim, I., Mowbray, O., & Washington, T. (2020). The effects of hopelessness on chronic illness on African Americans and Caribbean Blacks: Findings from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Community Mental Health Journal. 56(4), 753-759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00536-z.
  • Kim, I., & Dababnah, S. (2020). Appreciation of the ‘subtle changes’: Perspectives of Korean American parents raising children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 32, 307-322. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10882-019-09693-1.
  • Kim, I., Dababnah, S. & Lee., J. (2020). The influence of race and ethnicity on the relationship between family resilience and parenting stress in caregivers of children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. 50(2), 650-658. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10803-019-04269-6.

 

For more publications, see Dr. Kim's CV or her page on ResearchGate.

Selected Funding

  • 2023 - 2024, Principal Investigator, “Behavioral and developmental health disparities and advantages of Asian Americans in Louisiana: An examination of the prevalence and multilevel factors.” Carol Lavin Bernick Faculty Grants, Tulane University, $8,000
  • 2023 - 2024, Principal Investigator, “Parents Taking Action: Adapting a Peer-to-Peer Program for Korean Parents Raising Children with Autism in the U.S.”, Korean American Social Work Educators Association, $2,000
  • 2023 – 2024    Principal Investigator, “Parents Taking Action: Adapting a Peer-to-Peer Program for Korean Immigrant Caregivers Raising Children with Autism”, Organization for Autism Research, $40,000
  • 2022 – 2023    Co-Principal Investigator, “Behavioral and developmental health disparities and advantages of Asian Americans in Louisiana: An examination of the prevalence and multilevel factors”, Wisner Pilot Fund, Tulane University School of Social Work, $10,000
  • 2022 – 2023    Principal Investigator, “Parents Taking Action: Adapting a Peer-to-Peer Program for Asian American Parents Raising Children with Autism”, The University Senate Committee on Research Fellowship, Office of Academic Affairs and Provost, Tulane University, $8,500
     

Community Involvement

  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Society for Social Work and Research
  • International Society for Autism Research
  • International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities